A New Book for Everyone Who Cares about How We Will Be Remembered
OUR COVER STORY this week may seem somber—planning for how we each will leave this world someday—but we are hearing from early readers nationwide that Rusty Rosman’s unique new book, Two Envelopes, is a reassuring and even liberating experience of self expression.
That’s no exaggeration! Rusty’s wisdom about family fears and hopes is that valuable. Let her guide you through this fascinating process—and she is available to speak with your class or small group, as well. Please: Meet Rusty this week.
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From Our Authors—
Jeffrey Munroe
‘Telling Stories in the Dark’ invites readers to discover the healing power of community
Many people are eager to talk about Jeffrey Munroe’s life-affirming message of finding resilience and hope—even in the face of deep and sometimes long-lasting trauma. After one such discussion, Jeffrey told us about a surprising, spontaneous response from a man whose story illustrates why such a book is needed.
We asked Jeffrey to write up that experience for us.
And here is that story …
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Mindy Corporon
Telling her inspiring story of compassion in the face of hatred
OUR FRONT EDGE PUBLISHING column this week highlights author Mindy Corporon, who has dedicated her life to encouraging kindness, faith and healing in congregations, companies and communities.
And there’s even more valuable information here: We are using Mindy’s newest YouTube podcast, hosted by Matt Gilhooly, to illustrate the vast reach of YouTube. The latest Pew Research study of Americans’ social media use has just been released and, once again, YouTube dominates all other forms of social media.
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MSU’s Joe Grimm and the Bias Busters:
American Sikhs are joining in a global vote
IN 2024, the award-winning Bias Busters—a long-running program of the Michigan State University School of Journalism under the direction of MSU’s Joe Grimm—will be adding new volumes to their series of guides to understanding racial, ethnic and religious minorities. Please stay tuned to ReadTheSpirit and to Joe Grimm’s own Bias Busters columns for updates on new guides that will be appearing throughout 2024.
In his latest column, Joe reports on an issue close to the heart of the worldwide Sikh community—a question of possible independence within India that gets very little attention in American news media. In this column, Joe gives us a fascinating introduction to that global issue along with links to read more.
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Holidays, Festivals & Observances
Chinese Year of the Dragon
ON SATURDAY FEBRUARY 10, the Chinese Year of the Dragon begins. Unrivaled among Chinese holidays, the New Year begins weeks in advance with families cleaning and hanging paper cutouts in their homes, shopping for fish, meats and other specialty foods, and purchasing new clothing.
On the eve of the New Year, a Reunion Dinner is shared with extended family members. Dumplings, meat dishes, fish and an assortment of hot and cold dishes are considered essential for the table. Sociologists who study religious diversity around the world refer to the annual New Year’s homecoming in China as the greatest annual human migration on the planet.
Holidays & Festivals columnist Stephanie Fenton has the story.
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Blue is the color of hope in March
COLORECTAL CANCER HAS TOUCHED MILLIONS OF LIVES and, in 2024, the latest news is ominous: Rates of these cancers are rising among adults in their 30s and 40s. In fact, an NBC News reports: “Colorectal cancer is the deadliest cancer for men under age 50—and the second deadliest cancer among women in the same age group, behind breast cancer.” We are publishing this column early so that you can share this story with friends and loved ones and maximize the sharing of this important news that will unfold in March.
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WANT TO SEE ALL OF THE UPCOMING HOLIDAYS & FESTIVALS?—It’s easy to find our annual calendar of global observances. Just remember the web address: InterfaithHolidays.com
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Faith & Film
Click on this poster for the latest season of the Genius TV series to read Edward McNulty’s review.
ED McNULTY, for decades, has published reviews, magazine articles and books exploring connections between faith and film. Most of his work is freely published. Ed supports his work by selling the Visual Parables Journal, a monthly magazine packed with film reviews and discussion guides. This resource is used nationwide by individuals who love the movies and by educators, clergy and small-group leaders.
Here are some of Ed’s most recent free reviews and columns:
- GENIUS: MLK/X—Ed writes, “The 4th Season of the Genius series provides an inspiring account of the lives of last century’s two great civil rights leaders, Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. and Malcolm X.”
- THE BOOK OF CLARENCE—Ed writes, “Some have likened this film to Monty Python’s Life of Brian, but though satirical, it is not a spoof of the old Hollywood Biblical spectacles. Filmmaker Jeymes Samuel is interested in more serious concerns, such as racism and its effects.”
- MEAN GIRLS—Ed gives a strong thumbs up to this musical version of Tina Fey’s hit. He calls it “a fun-filled diversion.”
- A CALL TO SPY—Ed reaches back this week to a 2020 film, which is available to stream, calling it a “thrilling true story.”
- THE PERSIAN VERSION—Ed also recommends this film by Iranian-American Maryam Keshavarz.
- THE COLOR PURPLE—”Ghanaian filmmaker Samuel Bazawule brings to the screen this new version of Alice Walker’s classic novel of female empowerment.”
- MAESTRO—Ed gives Maestro 5 stars and writes, “Don’t let the silly controversy over Bradley Cooper’s nose sour you on this magnificent depiction of an unusual marriage between two brilliant people.”
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